Anime Hajime Review: Hanebado

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hanebado. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In badminton, competitors must have lightning fast reflexes, rock solid stamina, and the fortitude to stand against strong opponents. It is a sport anyone can play, but only a few will ever master it.

That said, a person would have quite the advantage if they were trained by the world’s best player since childhood.

Ayano Hanesaki (voiced by Hitomi Owada) is the daughter of the former world champion. Therefore, badminton has been her life. Or, at least, it was.

Upon entering high school, Ayano chose to abandon her passion and no longer wishes to compete. To her dismay, Ayano’s desire to give the sport up for good is challenged when she meets the members of her school’s badminton club and its ace captain Nagisa Aragaki (voiced by Miyuri Shimabukuro).

After some resistance, Ayano once again picks up her racket. However, the reason she put it down in the first place continues to haunt her already damaged psyche.

Anime Hajime Review: Slow Start

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Slow Start. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Hana Ichinose (voiced by Reina Kondo) is thrilled to finally be starting high school. Although such a sentiment is not uncommon for many first years, for Hana, she should be a second year at this point in her life.

Due to an unforeseen complication, Hana was unable to take her entrance exams, and thus, was unable to move onward with her middle school friends. For the past year, she has been diligently preparing to make up the time she has lost.

Sadly, the unfortunate thing about time is, once it passes, it doesn’t come back. Hana will have to spend the rest of her high school days slightly behind. However, this will only become a setback if she allows it to be one.

Hana isn’t starting late, she is merely starting now.

Wishful thinking aside, Hana can’t get over how awkward her situation is. She does want to make new friends, but she isn’t sure how people will react to her lost year. After all, to her classmates, Hana should be their senior.

For Hana, in the end, she needs to decide: Does that matter?

Anime Hajime Review: Caligula

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Caligula. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

For some time now, Ritsu Shikishima (voiced by Chiharu Sawashiro) has felt as if his world has been out of balance. But, how could that be? His school life is normal. His friends and relationships are normal. The beautiful voice of the famous μ — pronounced Mu (voiced by Reina Ueda) — is all normal.

Then again, on closer inspection, μ and everyone who hears her songs have been acting strangely.

Ritsu’s intuition turns out to be correct. The world he has known couldn’t be any more false. The reality is, he is one of many trapped within the “paradise” known as the Mobius.

The Mobius was created by μ in her attempt to bring happiness to as many people as possible. However, rather than solving a person’s worries, μ has only wrapped a veil over their eyes.

To μ’s confusion, there are some who cannot find happiness in such a lie.

This envisioned heaven is about to become a fierce battleground between those filled with regret and those who wish to forget. Someone like Ritsu must decide which side he is on.

Anime Hajime Review: Back Street Girls - Gokudolls

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Back Street Girls: Gokudolls. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The infamous Inugane Yakuza group is best known for its iron-clad discipline. Anyone who makes a mistake will not be forgiven. However, they will, instead, be given a choice.

Following a recent failure, bosses Kentaro Yamamoto, Ryu Tachibana, and Kazuhiko Sugihara (voiced by Daisuke Ono, Satoshi Hino, and Kazuyuki Okitsu) must either choose death or become part of the Inugane group’s latest business venture — idol singers. Begrudgingly, the three settle for the latter.

After a quick trip to Thailand to undergo a full sex-change operation, the hardcore Yakuza men become Japan’s newest idol stars, the Gokudolls; made up of now Airi, Mari, and Chika (voiced by Yuka Nukui, Kaori Maeda, and Hikaru Akao).

Although the trio now look like beautiful young women, a face change and a new pair of breasts won’t take the gangster out of a person. Old habits die hard, and in such an opposite environment, they are sure to make a scene.

Anime Hajime Review: Mitsuboshi Colors

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Mitsuboshi Colors. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The district of Ueno is one of the most famous, busiest, and most fascinating places in Tokyo. Within a few steps, you can traverse the hustle-and-bustle of modern urban life to the peaceful tranquility of Ueno Park. Along the way, you will pass some of Japan’s most important landmarks and institutions.

There are indeed many amazing things within this unique corner of the city.

And protecting the safety and peace of it all are the energetic defenders of justice known as the Colors.

Three young girls, Yui, Sa, and Kotoha (voiced respectively by Yuki Takada, Marika Kouno, and Natsumi Hioka) make up this lively bunch. No matter the time of year and no matter the weather, if you keep your eyes open, you are sure to see the Colors running around.

In fact, their presence is so significant, this trio is just another fantastic feature within the town of Ueno.

Anime Hajime Review: WWW.Working!!

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for WWW.Working. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Like any nationwide eatery, there are some things you can expect to be the same no matter where you are — the food, the seating, and most importantly, the service. For the family restaurant chain Wagnaria, the latter especially is no different.

Needing a way to make some extra spending money, Daisuke Higashida (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura) gets a part-time job as a waiter at his local Wagnaria. Daisuke is entirely averse to working and sees his position only as a necessary evil. Little does he know the kind of hardship he has entered.

Immediately, Daisuke sees that his fellow employees have their own unique quirks. Among the loudest of the bunch is the exceedingly hardworking, and equally abrasive, Hana Miyakoshi (voiced by Haruka Tomatsu).

Although Daisuke and Hana don’t really get along, they are among the best the restaurant has on its payroll. Plus, their constant bickering is not the most unusual thing that goes on at their quaint little establishment.

Anime Hajime Review: The Thousand Nobel Musketeers

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for The Thousand Nobel Musketeers. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The world was almost brought to ruin after the outbreak of nuclear war. To maintain peace, a global empire rose, and it confiscated every conceivable firearm. The only weapons the Empire overlooked were the ones of the 18^th and 19^th century; the building blocks for the nations of old.

With its unchecked power, the Empire quickly became a brutal regime that began exploiting and oppressing the citizenry. To combat this evil, and in the name of the people, the Resistance was born.

In order to challenge the unbridled strength of the Empire, the Resistance uses the forgotten guns of the past and transforms them into mighty warriors known as Musketeers.

The Musketeers are the pinnacle of nobility. Their dedication to justice and to those in need is unrivaled. That burning passion will hopefully free humanity from the iron grip of its harsh rulers once and for all.

However, the Empire did not become the monster it is by ignoring threats to its authority. Thus, the ultimate battle for the future begins now.

Anime Hajime Review: Megalo Box

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Megalo Box. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In the future, society is split between the licensed citizens of the cities and the unlicensed residents of the slums. Despite the division, one sport has risen to resonate within the hearts of everyone: Megalo Boxing.

Unlike its traditional counterpart, Megalo Boxing competitors wear specialized suits known as Gear which amplify both speed and striking power. To celebrate the sport, an unprecedented tournament is announced. Dubbed Megalonia, its purpose is to crown the undisputed Megalo Boxing champion of the world. The event is open to all licensed citizens. For unlicensed citizens, they are expected to only watch.

Such a barrier, though, is not enough to stop ambition.

An incredibly skilled but nameless, not to mention unlicensed, boxer (voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya) has his eyes set on reaching the top. Through less than legal means, the fighter procures a fake license and takes the name Joe. With the preparations set, Joe and his team are ready to take on Megalo Boxing’s best.

Anime Hajime Review: Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 1

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 1. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Eren Jaeger (voiced by Yuki Kaji), his childhood friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlelt (voiced by Yui Ishikawa and Marina Inoue), and his other comrades of the Survey Corps' Special Operations Squad are still trying to unlock the secrets of the murderous beings known as the titans. However, in their search for answers, they have only found more questions.

Nevertheless, they feel they are close to a breakthrough. The problem is, the people in power feel the same way. Any threat to the authority must, therefore, be wiped out.

Although life behind the mighty Walls might keep the titans out, such an existence also means more dangerous monsters are lurking within. The war for humanity’s survival is about to open a newer, far more deadly front.

Be that as it may, Eren and his friends will not falter in their mission. Like their enemies, they will see their job through — by any means necessary.